Filling machine



p 1944- 1.. A. BOYLAN 2,359,082

FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1945 6 Sheets$heet 1 Sept. 26, 1944. 1 BOYLAN 2,359,082

FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 26, 1944. A. BOYLAN FILLING MACHINE Filed on. 22, 1943 6 Sheets-Shoat 3 floaaa 26, 1944- 1.. A. BOYLAN 2,359,082

FILLI NG MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 P 1944- 1.. A. BQYLAN 2,359,082

FILLING MACHINE Filed 001;. 22, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Sept. 26, 1944 UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFICE 1...... i al -7. m.

Application October 22, 1943;501131 BTU-507,231

9 Cm CL 228-409) In the filling of packages. especially with powdered material. considerable diillculty has been experienced in that air will be carried into the receptacle or package, with the material, with the result that the quantities in the different packages will be unequal and the material will not be satisfactorily packed. I

Heretofore, it has been possible to remove only a portion of such air, for the reason, among other things, that the material, as it enters the receptacle, will pack and prevent the air that is intermingled therewith from escaping.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to overcome these difliculties and objections, and to provide improved means whereby the container and the material, as it is deposited thereinto, will be given rapid rotation, subjecting the material to the action of centrifugal force, and

thereby separating the air from the material and conveying it away through a suitable conduit.

A further object is to provide improved means for maintaining a collapsibl container against collapsing as the air is being exhausted from the inside of the container.

A further object is to provide improved means whereby the container will be arrested in its rotation. at the completion of the filling cycle of operation of the machine.

To the attainment of these ends and these-- complishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention, and in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation ofa machine of this character, constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a view taken from the right-hand side of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is ahorizontal view, partly in elevation, partly in section, and partly broken away, as

v taken on line 4-4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 5-5, Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail elevation of a switch operating lever, as taken on line Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view, on an eniarged scale, taken on line lfl-ifl, Fig. 2, and alsofromtheleft-hand side of Fig. 9. i

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view, takenonlinell--H,Fig.9.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail sectional view, taken on line i2-l2,Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail sectional view,

taken on line "-43,?18. 9.

Fig.14 is a wiring diagram.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral II designates a suitable supporting structure, and mounted thereupon is a vertically movable shaft It provided with a passage therethrough, and the shaft is preferably mounted in suitable bearings 23, and has removably supported upon the end thereof a platform or holder 24, for the package. This platform 24 is secured to the end of the shaft 2| in any suitable manner, preferably by being provided with a bifurcated portion 25, into which a pin 28 projects, so that when the shaft ii is rotated, theplatform 24 will also be rotated. 'This platform is provided with an opening 11 therethrough. which registers with the opening 22 in the shaft 21, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The platform is provided with a recess 28 within which the package I! is seated, so that a portion of the package will extend over the opening 21'.

The shaft ii is rotated in any suitable manner, such'as by means of a pulley 30 over which a belt 3| passes, and this belt in turn passes over a pulley 32 on a'drive shaft 33, the latter being rotated by means of a suitable motor 34.

35 The shaft 2| is moved longitudinall so as to raise and lower thesame, preferably by means of fluid pressure which is supplied from a suitable source through a pipe 35 and connects with a pressure regulator 38 (see particularly Fig. 1).

The pressure regulator, in turn, is connected, by

means of a pipe 31, to a combined valve and escape mechanism 38.

Leading from the unit 38 is a pipe 39 that in turn is connected with a cylinder 40 (see particularly Fig. 3), in which a piston 4| reciprocates, and this piston in turn is connected to a v 1 piston rod 42 that moves within the cylinder 40.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the filling head, and a portion of the operating mechanism therefor.

' Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view, taken on line 8-4, Fig. 4.

The upper end of the piston rod is connected to a yoke which is preferably in the form of a head 43 and side members 44 that are provided with lateral projections 45 that project and move within a recess 46 in a head 41, the latter being connected to the shaft 2|, so that the shaft 21 can rotate with respect to. the yoke 44.

Leading also from the valve unit 38 is another pipe 48 that has communication with the cylinder to above the piston 4| so that, when a foot pedal 49 is operated, the valve unit 88 will permit fluid pressure to enter the cylinder 40 below the piston 4| to raise the head or platform 24, air above the piston escaping through the pipe 48. When, however, the foot pedal 49 is released, the fluid pressure will operate upon the top of the piston 4| to lower the same, and with it the head 24, the fluid beneath the piston 4| escaping through the pipe 39. The valve and escape unit 38 may. be of any desired or suitable construction, to operate in the manner just described.

The pulley so (Fig. 5) is splined or keyed upon the shaft 2|, as at 50, so as to permit the shaft 2| to be moved longitudinally. The shaft 2|, at its lower end, has communication with a chamber 5| that has connected to it a suction pipe 52, for a purpose to be hereinafter described, and as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The shaft 2| has connection with the chamber II in any desired or suitable manner, preferably by mean of a joint 53 of any suitable construction which will permit the shaft 2| to rotate with respect to the chamber 5| and, at the same time, maintain a fluid tight joint therebetween.

A slide 54 is mounted upon a support 55, which latter is preferably in the form of a tubular member having a threaded opening in its end 58, into which the threaded end of a shaft 51 projects. This shaft 51 is adapted to be rotated, preferably by means of intermeshing gears 58-59 through the medium of a shaft 80 and a hand-operating device 6|. By rotating the shaft 60, the shaft 51 will be rotated, and this in turn will raise and lower the support 55, according to the direction of rotation of the shaft, to adjust the head 24 to accommodate packages of varying sizes.

Carried by the slide 54 is a tubular shaft 62 (see Fig, 8) mounted in suitable bearings 63 and provided with packing 6l-8 5B6, so as to provide fluid tight joints. The shaft 82 is rotated in its bearings, preferably by means of a pulley 81, over which a drive belt 68 passes, and this drive belt in turn also passes over a pulley 69 on the shaft The lower end of the shaft 62 is open, and is preferably reduced, as at 10, and projects through head ii, the latter being preferably provided with a resilient face 12, preferably in the form of rubber.

The shaft 62 is also provided with one or more passages 13 that also open through the end of the shaft, and extending'across the passage 13 is a suitable screen It, so that the screen will rotate with the shaft 62 and the head H, and the end 10 of the shaft passes through and beyond the screen to project into the receptacle 29 when the latter is in a, position to be filled. Th passage 13 communicates with a chamber l5 which in turn has connected andcommunicating therewith a suction or vacuum pipe 16.

When a package 29 is placed upon the platform 24, and the latter i elevated in the manner a1- ready described, the package will move into engagement with the rubber facing 12 of the head ii to close the package or container. In this position, the end of the shaft 62 will project into and have communication with the inside of the package, as will also the passage 13. Communicating with the shaft 62 is a supply pipe 11 which receives a supply of powdered material from any suitable source, such as from a hopper l8, suitably located.

When the part are in the position shown in Fig. 8, that is, when the package or container is 7 that the powdered material is being. fed, in this manner, into the paciage or container 2!, the shaft 2| will be rotated, and this will spin or axially rotate the package, and with it the head 1 1|, so that during the time. that the material is being fed into the package, the material will be subjected to the action of centrifugal force, and thereby separate the air from the contents of the package, so that the material will be equally distributed and an equal amount of material will be fed into each package or container.

, Suitable mechanism for arresting the rotation or spinning of the container 29 at the end of the filling cycle, will be hereinafter described. Inasmuch as a number of the containers or packages which are being filled are constructed of collapsible material, it will be manifest that, by exhausting the air from the inside of the container,

the natural tendency will be to collapse the container or buckle the bottom thereof. This operation is prevented by reason of thefact that, as the material is being supplied to the container and the air is being exhausted therefrom, a suction is being created through the, passage 22 in the pipe or shaft 2|, and through the chamber II, by means of the suction created in the pipe I2, is will be described.

If desired, a suitable belt tightener I! may be provided, which operates upon a belt that passes over a pulley 8| on the shaft 82 and also over a pulley 82 on the shaft of the motor ll, so as to control the tension of the belt and likewise the speed of rotation of the shaft 32. This belt tightener 19 may be of any suitable construction, and is adapted to be actuated by means of a handoperated device 83.

The cylinder 40 may be supported in any suit.- able manner, such as by hanger means I4 (see Figs. 1 and 3) to which a suitable frame I! is connected, and in which frame the yoke, and chamber ll are located, the frame being of a sufflcient size to permit the raising and lowering is desired to raise and lower the head to compensate packages of different sizes. In such adjustment ofthe support, it is guided by means of suitable guide-ways 86, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3. The suction pipes 52 and 18 (see particularly Figs. 2 and 4) are preferably connected to a manifold 81, and this manifold in turn is connected, by means of a pipe 8!, to a suction tank 89 from which the pipe 10 leads to a vacuum pump, so that during a portion of the cycle of operation of the machine, suction will be created through the pipe 88, manifold 81, pipe 1| leading from the head of the machine, and pipe leading from the chamber I l Leading also from the manifold 81 is a second pipe (see also Fig. 9), which may discharge into the atmosphere, so that when the pipe 88 is closed and suction is being created, the pipe 90 will be open to relieve the suction or vacuum created through the pipes 16-52. If desired, an indicating gauge 9| may be provided in connection with the tank 89.

The pipes 88 and 90 are alternately opened and closed during the cycle of operation of the machine, to establish the vacuum or suction through the head and chamber of the machine during the cycle of filling of the package, and to relieve the same. That is, when the pipe 88 is closed, the pipe 00 will be open and the vacuum or suction will be relieved, but when the pipe 90 is closed and the pipe 88 is open, the vacuum or suction will be established. Any suitable mechanism may be provided for opening and closing these two pipes, and as they are preferably flex ible, having inherent resiliency, they may be closed by pinching them together. To that end, there may be provided (reference being had to Figs. 9 to 13) suitable adjustable supports 92-03 arranged within a suitable housing 94. The pipe 80 rests upon the support 92, and pivotally mounted adjacent the pipe, as at 95, is a lever 98 having a projection 91, a roller 98 preferably being mounted thereupon. A similar lever 99 having a roller I00 mounted thereupon, is positioned above the pipe 90, and these two levers are preferably moved in one direction by the inherent resiliency and action of the respective pipes 8890.

A shaft IN is rotatably supported within the framework 94, and secured to this shaft for rotation therewith, are two cams I02I03, the cam I02 being disposed in alinement with the roller I00 (see wiring diagram) through the switch, and thence through conductor I09 to the motor 34. From the motor 34, the conductor IIO leads back to the other side of the power supply line III. It will therefore be seen that, by the operation of the switch I06, the suction-operating motor 34 for controlling the spinning of the container as it is being filled, will be controlled.

As a means to control the operation of the cams I02I03 so that they will perform their functions during one cycle of operation, and then be arrested in their movement, a suitable clutch device is provided (reference being had particularly to Figs. 9 to 12), wherein there is provided a suitable drum II2 which is mounted loosely upon the shaft NH, and is continuously rotated.

The drum H2 is driven by means of a sprocket wheel I I 2 over which a sprocket chain I I4 passes, the chain also passing over another sprocket wheel I I5 (see particularly Fig. 2), that in turn is driven from a suitable speed reducing mechanism, diagrammatically illustrated at H6 in Fig. 2. The speed reducing mechanism may be ac tuated by means of a belt II1 that passes over a pulley I I8 (see also Fig. 4) to which latter pulley is connected another pulley II9 over which a belt I passes, that in turn passes over a pul- 00 on the lever 00, and provided with a projection I 04 adapted, when the cam I02 is rotated to engage the roller 98, to rock the lever 96 about its pivot 95 and force the projection 91 against the tube or pipe 88. This, in turn, will force the pipe against the support 92 and contract or pinch the walls of the pipe together so as to close the pipe to the passage of fluid therethrough, as will be seen more clearly in Figs. 9 and 11. Similarly, when the cam I03 rotates, it will force the lever 99 against the pipe 90 to compress, restrict and close this pipein a similar manner. The cam I03, however, (see particularly Fig. 13) is provided with a cut-away or recessed portion I05, into which the roller I00 on the lever 99 will enter to permit the pipe 90 to expand and open. This cam I0! is so constructed that, durin the major portion of rotation of the cam, the periphery thereof will engage the roller I00 to maintain the pipe 90 closed. However, when the recess I05 assumes a position in alinement with the roller I00, theresiliency of the pipe 90 will cause it to expand, and will force the roller I00 into the recess I05 to permit the pipe 90 to open. The cams I02 and I03 are so arrangedthat they will alternately operate upon the respective controlled pipes; that is, so that when one of the pipes is open, the other will be closed.

Connected to the lever 96 is a switch device I00, which may be of any desired or suitable construction and type, but is preferably a mercury switch which, when in the position shown in Fig. 11, will open the circuit which it controls, but when the pipe 90 expands to open, the switch I05 will be tilted so that the circuit controlled by the switch will be closed, and in this circuit the conductor I01 leads from a power supply line ley I2I on the shaft of a motor I22, the latter being mounted upon a suitable support I23.

Secured to the shaft IOI to rotate therewith, is an arm or support I24, which latter has eccentrically mounted thereupon, and for movement with respect thereto, a friction wheel I25 that projects over the drum H2 and is normally in engagement with the periphery thereof, so as to rotate with the drum and about the axis thereof. This friction roller may be held in contact with the drum in any suitable manner, such as by means of a spring I26, and the roller has connected to it, through the medium of its shaft, an arm I21 which is preferably arranged parallel with the support I24. The arm I21 may be spaced from the support I24 by means of a suitable spacing member I28, if desired.

The operation of this portion of the mechanism is such that, normally, the spring I26 will hold the roller I25 in contact with the drum 2 so as to lock the shaft IOI for rotation with the continuously rotating drum. However, in order to arrest the rotation of the shaft IOI at the end of one completerevolution thereof, it is only necessary to move the roller I25 out of contact with the drum H2, so that the latter will continuously rotate independently with respect thereto, and the shaft IOI, with the cams I02-I 03, will remain idle. For that purpose there may be provided a pin I29 (see particularly Figs. 2 and 3) which is adapted to be moved into the path of rotary movement of the arm I21, to be engaged thereby, so that upon further rotation of the shaft MI in the same direction, the arm I21 will be rocked against the stress of the spring I26 to rotate the eccentrically mounted roller I25, and move it out of engagement with the periphery of the drum l2.

The movement of the pin I29 is only momen-- tarily; that is, it will move into a position within accomplish this operation, the pin I29 is con-- trolled by means of a solenoid I30, to the armature I3I of which the pin is connected. This solenoid is only instantaneously energized, so that after the pin has been withdrawn from the path of movement of the arm-I21 to permit the latter to pass, it will be instantly reset into the path of movement of the arm, so that when the arm approaches the pin again, it will be rocked thereby, and the'shaft IIII will again be permitted to stop.

The energization of the solenoid I30 is controlled by means of a switch I32 (see particularly.

particularly Fig. 7) is pivotally connected, as at I30, in a position that a portion of the finger I35 will rest against the body portion I34 to prevent its movement about its pivot in one direction, and a spring I31 maintains the finger I35 in this position. The body of the operating member is split, as at I38, so as to be mounted upon a shaft I39 (see also Figs. 5 and 6) that is journaled in the supporting structure 85.

Secured also to the shaft I39 is a gear wheel I40 with which a rack I, carried by the yoke 44, meshes, so that as the yoke 44 and the shaft 2I are raised to move the platform 24 into a position to hold the container 29 against the head II-I2, the gear I40 and shaft I39 will be rotated, and cause the finger I35 to be rocked across the contact point of the switch I32, thereby instantaneously and momentarily closing the circuit to the solenoid I30 which controls the operation of the pin I29. The finger I35 being pivoted at I36, will yield to pass the contact point of the switch I32 when the shaft 2| and yoke 44 are moved in the opposite direction. The switch I32 may be of any desired or suitable construction to accomplish this purpose. Sufflce it to say that it will operate instantaneously and only when the finger I35 wipes thereacross,

The motor I22 is continuously operating so as to continuously rotate the drum II2 of the clutch mechanism, the motor being electrically connected, through the conductors I42-I43, with the power supply line, as shown in the wiring diagram.

It is thought that the operation of this apparatus will be clearly understood from the foregoing, but, briefly stated, it is as follows:

When a container'29 which is of a collapsible nature is being filled, the passage-way 21 through the platform or support 24 is allowed to remain open, so that suction will be applied to the outside of the container to hold the bottom from being: drawn into the container, or collapsing, and as the shaft IOI is idle, by reason of the pin I29 releasing the clutch mechanism, and the cam I32 will be positioned so as to close the pipe 33, so that there will be no suction therein, while the cam I03 will be in a position to permit the pipe 90 to open to atmosphere. At the same time, the support or platform 24 will be in its lowermost position, so that an operator may place a container upon the platform. As the pipe 33 is closed, there will be no suction at this time in the head of the machine. After the operator has placed the package in position, the foot pedal 43 is depressed so as to permit air to enter the cylinder below the piston 4|, to raise the platform 24 until the top of the container contacts the head- II-I2 to close the container, and as the facing I2 on the head is of resilient material, a tight seal will be established. This same action causes the microswitch" I32 to be instantaneously operated as the finger I35 swings across the contact of the switch, due to the rotation of the gear I40 by the rack I. The solenoid I30 being then energized, will retract the pin I29 from the trip arm I21 of the clutch mechanism, and the shaft IOI then begins to rotate.

During this operation, suction has been created through the pipe 30, as well as the pipe 13, through the various connections, and is manifested within the container 29. This will cause the material to be fed by suction, through the pipes 11-42-10, into the container. of the lever or arm 95, by the expansion of the tube 83, will rock the mercury switch I05, causing the filling head motor 34 to spin the shaft II and also the head II-J2, thereb imparting to the contents of the container a centrifugal motion while it is being filled, to separate the air from the material. This will result in an even packing of, and quantity of material within the container.

When the trip clutch I24, I25, etc., makes one complete revolution, it will stop by reason of the position of the pin I29, and the shaft I0l will also stop, with the cams mounted thereupon. The suction will then be shut ofl through the pipe 33, and communication will be established with the atmosphere through the pipe 90, so that atmospheric pressure will be admitted into the lines,

. with the result that the suction will be cut of! this suction is relieved at the same time that the that telescopes over the end of the shaft 2I so as to extend across and close both the passage 22 in the shaft 2| and the passage 21.

The motor I22 is continuously operating, and

before the container is opened.

pleting the operation, and the filled package may be removed and replaced with another one to be filled. r

While the preferred form of the invention has been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a filling machine, a support for a'con- 7 tainer, means for temporarily closing the container, means for thereafter delivering material into the container, means for exhausting air from the container, means for rotating the container while the exhausting means isactive, to subject the material to the action of centrifugal force, whereby to separate air from the material, and a screen for preventing entry of the material into The movement l the exhausting means, said screen being rotatable with the container.

2. In a filling machine, a filling head, a container support, a temporary closure for the container carried by said head, means for bringing the container and the closure into and out of co-operating position, means for evacuating the container through said head, means for delivering material into the container, means for spinning the said container to subject the material therein to the action of centrifugal force, whereby to separate air from the material, and a screen for maintaining the evacuating means free of the material in the container, the said screen spinning with the container.

3. In a filling machine, a support for the container, a temporary closure for the container, means for bringing the container and closure in closing co-operation, means for exhausting air from the closed container, means for supplying material into the container, a screen at the entrance end of said exhaustin means and separate from the material supplying means, said screen spinning with said container, means for spinning the container as it is being filled, and means responsive to the operation of the first said means for controlling the spinning of the container and also the operation of the air-exhausting means.

4. In a filling machine, a support for the container, a, temporary closure for the container, means for bringing the container and closure in closing co-operation, means for exhausting air from the closed container, means for supplying material into the container, means for spinning the container as it is being filled, and means responsive to the operation of the first said means for controlling the spinning of the container and also the operation of the air-exhausting means, the said controlling means embodying a clutch device.

5. In a filling machine, a support for a container, a temporary closure for the container, means for bringing the container and closure in closing co-operation, means for exhausting air from the closed container, means for supplying material into the container, means for spinning the container as it is being filled, means embodying an electric circuit for controlling the spinning of the container, the said air-exhausting means embodyin a resilient tubular element, means for contracting the element to close the same to the passage of air therethrough, and means responsive to the operation of the last said means for controlling said electric circuit.

6. In a filling machine, a support for a container, a filling head, mean for bringing said head and container into position to close the container, a suction passage through the head communicating with the container, a screen supported by the head and extending across the inlet of said suction passage, a material delivery passage discharging into the container through said screen, and means for rotating said container, head and screen, to subject the material in the container to the action of centrifugal force while the air is being exhausted from and the material is being delivered into the container.

7. In a filling machine, a support for a container, a filling head, means for bringing said head and container into position to close the container, a suction passage through the head communicating with the container, a screen supported by the head and extending across the inlet of said suction passage, a material delivery passage discharging into the container through said screen, means for rotating said container, head and screen, to subject the material in the container to the action of centrifugal force while the air is being exhausted from and the material is being delivered into the container, and means for rendering said suction ineffective when the container is opened.

8. In a filling machine, a support for a container, a temporary closure for the container, means foribringing the container and closure in closing co-operation, means for exhausting air from the closed container, means for supplying material to the container, means embodying an electric circuit for spinning the container as it is being filled, one of the said filling and exhausting means embodying a resilient tubular member, means operating automatically at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of the machine for restricting said resilient tubular memher to close the passage therethrough, and a switch device shifta'ble by the said restricting means for moving the switch device in one direction to control said circuit, the inherent resiliency of said tubular member being operable to move the switch device in another direction.

9. In a filling machine, a filling head, a support for a container, a suction passage through the I head communicating with the container, 9. material delivery passage discharging into the container, a screen for maintaining the material in the container from entering said suction passage, means for rotating said container, head and screen, to subject the material in the container to the action of centrifugal force while the air is being exhausted from, and the material is being delivered into the container, and whereby the screen will be maintained clean from particles of said material.

LOUIS A. BOYLAN. 

